Learners will study natural and technological systems. All goals should focus on the unifying concepts of science defined by the National Science Education Standards: Systems, Order, and Organization; Evidence, Models, and Explanation; Constancy, Change, and Measurement; Evolution and Equilibrium; and Form and Function. The skills of inquiry and technological design are targeted for mastery. The concepts for which in-depth studies should be designed at sixth grade level include: Scientific Inquiry, Technological Design, Lithosphere, Cycling of Matter, Solar System, Energy Transfer/Transformation, and Population Dynamics.

• Students will identify and create questions and hypotheses to answer through scientific investigation.
• Students will develop experimental procedures for questions.
• Students will apply safety procedures.
• Analyze variables and evidence.
• Students will present quantitative data.
• Students will prepare models.
• Students will use technology to research, analyze data, and evaluate information.

• Students will explore technology.
• Students will use information systems to locate resources and identify scientific needs.
• Students will evaluate technological design.
• Students apply technological knowledge to make informed consumer decisions.

• Students will evaluate forces that shape the lithosphere.
• Students will examine earthquake and volcano patterns.
• Students will model earth interior.
• Students will describe uses of earth minerals.
• Analyze soil properties.
• Students evaluate a healthy earth and human activities involved.
• Students assess the use of technology to monitor lithospheric conditions.

• Students will describe the flow of energy and matter.
• Students will evaluate decomposers.
• Students will examine evidence and significance of photosynthesis.
• Students evaluate growth of certain plants and animals.

Goal 5: Solar system

• Analyze components and cycles of solar system.
• Students will compare and contrast Earth to other planets.
• Students will relate influence of sun and moon to Earth.
• Students will describe space explorations and benefits.
• Students will describe the setting of the solar system.

• Students will determine how convection and radiation transfer energy.
• Analyze heat flow and relate it to equilibrium.
• Analyze sound and waves generated.
• Students will evaluate data for qualitative and quantitative relationships.
• Analyze physical interactions of light and matter.
• Analyze response to heat.
• Analyze Law of Conservation of Energy

• Students will describe organisms interactions.
• Students will investigate growth and survival of organisms.
• Students explain how changes in a habitat affect organisms.
• Students evaluate data related to human population growth.
• Students will examine evidence and results of overpopulation.
• Students investigate processes resulting in diversity of plant and animal life.

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